PENZA, Russia - Nearly 30 members of an apocalyptic religious cult have barricaded themselves in a Russian cave to await the end of the world in May.

Russian authorities have been trying to talk the cultists out of the cave in central Russia where they holed up last month after their spiritual leader determined the world would come to an end in the spring.

The British newspaper The Guardian said Thursday the group includes four children, and has threatened to blow themselves up if police try to force them out.

So far, police are being patient and say the people in the cave have assured them they are warm and have plenty of food.